Electric burglar alarm system



1948' G. L. FLEMENG 2,43 6A70 ELECTRICBURGLAR ALARM SYSTEM Filed Se t. 11 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I 58 WEB lNVENTOR 4 Gem ge L. F'lamamg z/gwm.,

i ATTORNEY Feb. 24, 1948. G. FLEMING ELECTRIC BURGLAR ALARM SYSTEM Fil ed Sept. 11, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Max WEIR QQQQ INVENTOR G org a 11.) lezwz'ffy ATTORNEY Wm wm mm mm 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR George 11.] Jami/g7 ATTORNEY G. L. FLEMING ELECTRIC BURGLAR ALARM SYSTEM Flled Sept 11 1946 Feb. 24, 1948.

' the intruder, the unauthorized Patented Feb 24, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT orrlcs 2.436.470 ELECTRIC BURGLAR ALARM SYSTEM George L. Fleming, New York, N. Y. Application September 11, 1946, Serial No. 696,131 12 Claims. (Cl. 177-314) This invention relates to an alarm system;

more particularly to an electrical alarm system for burglar or illegal entry detection.

It is an object of my invention to provide an alarm lock mechanism to provide an audible signal upon tampering with a door or window or like closures, which audible signal, is effective or in operation for a predetermined period or time, so that if the audible signal accomplishes its purpose of warning before unauthorized entry is effected, or serves to frighten away the prospective intruder, the audible signal will be discontinued and the annoyance of the peristent sounding of the signal obviated.

It is contemplated by my invention to provide a burglar alarm system integrating or combining an audible signal with the movement of a closure, such as a door or window, so that it will be effective upon tampering to give a signal for a predetermined period of time, whether the closure is fully opened or not, and upon the expiration of the predetermined time and renewed activity by opening of the closure will again be accompanied by an audible signal.

It is further contemplated by my invention to provide a' burglar alarm lock mechanism which includes electrically operated'signalling circuits, one to produce an audible signal and the other to give evidence of actuation of the audible signal so that if tampering with the closure, such as a effected, a visual signal window or door, has been will be obtained, thereby making the device proof against improper setting of the audible alarm system.

It is further an object of my invention to provide an alarm lock controlled mechanism in which the audible signal is provided by an electrical circuit which is switched on for a predetermined time upon tampering, and which is discontinued to avoid the annoyance to the neighborhood if the tampering without entry or wide opening of the door or closure has been discontinued, and to combine with such rrechanism a switch construction arranged so that any attempt to render the switching mechanism inactive will again actuate the audible signalling device.

Further objects of my invention residue in the provision of alarm lock mechanism which is effective to switch on an audible alarm system in several positions of the closure, such as the door or window, whereby during one position amountingto no more than tampering action, the audible signal may operate for a predetermined period of time. and during the second position, where access is possible, the audible signal may be continuously eii'ectiv Still further objects of my invention reside in nuisance and irritation of the audible signal in congested areas if tampering without actual access or entry has been effected.

To attain these objects and such further objects as may appear herein, or be hereinafter pointed out, I make reference to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, in which- Figure 1 is a plan view showing my device assembled in connection with a door;

Figure 2 is a magnified plan view of the time control switch mechanism;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the time control mechanism;

Figure 6 is a section taken on the line 6-6 of 2 Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view through the lock casing;

Figure 8 is a wiring diagram of my installation.

Making reference to the drawing, I have illustrated the same in connection with a closure in the form of a door III, for the frame ii, on which the door is hinged by the usual hinges l2. A lock casing I 3 is arranged to be operated by a turn knob 14 to project the bolt l5 into the hasp or strike [6. The bolt i5 is arranged to be operated through the cylinder i! by a key l8 from the exterior face of the door.

The lock casing l3 has its rear wall is provided with insulating blocks 20, 2|, supporting spring fingers '22, 23, for the cooperative contacts 24. Conductors 25 and 26 are electrically connected to the spring fingers 22 and 23, respectively. Normally, the spring fingers 22 and 23 urge the cooperative contacts into engagement. Key or knob retraction of the bolt i5 serves to move the yoke 27 rearwardly of the casing. The yoke is provided with. a lug 28, moving in the path of the spring finger 23-, to deflect it rearwardly and break the contacts 24 from engagement, electrically opening the circuit in the conductors or wires 25 and 28 of the switch. 'I'hemechanism of the lock casing i3 accordingly acts as a. switching mechanism, to electrcally open or close a circuit of which conductors 25 and 28 are a part.

Conductor 25 is connected to one terminal or cassava 3 the secondary S of the transformer-T whose primary terminals .19, by suitable plug connectors, lead to.a source of A. C. power 29.-

Conductor or wire 26 is grounded to the bracket 30, which carries a plunger 3! within the sleeve 32. One end 33 of the plunger is spring. projected into the inner face 34 of the door frame.

The other end 35 has a contacting head 36 which may ride in the path of the contacts 31 and 38, respectively. Contacts 3? and 38 are insulated from each other and supported on the bracket 39. Conductors 4B and 46 are connected to the contacts 3'5 and 33, respectively. Conductors til and 43 complete the circuit to the time control switching assembly 42, which will hereinafter be described.

For present purposes it will be sufficient to indicate the operation of the switch assembly carried by the bracket 39. With the door if) closed, the nose 33 is depressed to the inner face 43 of the door frame 45. In this position the head 36 clears the contacts 37 and 33. As the door swings open partly, the spring in the cylinder 32 projects the plunger for a distance to bring the head 35 into wiping action with the contact 3 1. Under these circumstances, the circult is closed in the line 26 and the line 46. If the door should swing further, the'plunger nose 33 follows the edge'of the door id, to spring project the contacting head 36 in wiping engagement with the contact 33, closing the circuit of the line 26 and the line M.

An auxiliary head 36a is mounted on the plunger 3i. Should any instrument be pried in between the door edge and the frame to depress the nose 33 or to spring the frame to depress the auxiliary head 3812, the circuit through the lines 2t and 45 will be completed through the auxiliary head 36a and the contact 38.

In the time control switching assembly 42 there is provided a chamber 45,'within which rides the piston 45. The piston rod 41 is guided in the neck 48. An expansion spring 49 acting between the neck 48 and the piston 45 normally tends to urge the piston toward the head 50. A port is controlled by a screw adjustable needle valve 52 which is adjustable through the knurled head 53. The port 5!, on its exterior side, leads out to the atmosphere through the vent 54.

It will be observed that as the piston 46 is retracted manually against the spring pressure of the spring 49, it will return to its projected position at a rate of movement determined by the position of the needle valve 52 closing the port 5!. Thus, the duration of time may be measured ofi predeterminedly after retracting the piston 46 manually to control movement of the piston 46 to the expanded position-oi the spring 49. This action is controlled as to time by the rate of escape of air through the port 5|.

The piston rod 41 is connected to an extension shaft 55. The extension shaft 55 is guided in a look behind the front edge 63 when the extension rod has been pulled outwardly against the spring pressure of the spring 69. In this position the latching bar 50 engages the shoulder 53, preventing spring retraction of the extension rod.

The locking bar 59 has its upper end 61 spaced opposite a tripping finger 68, carried by the armature 6d. The armature is positioned for movement to be actuated by the electromagnet 1B. Conductors it and a provide the circuit for energizing the electromagnet it, to draw the armature to the core thereof.

It will be observed that when the piston 35 is held actuated by the engagement of the shoulder 66 against the latch bar 68, activation of the electromagnet 79 will draw the armature 59 toward it, carrying with it the tripping to strike the latch bar 58 and move it rearwardly out of engagement with the shoulder 55, permitting spring projection of the piston t5 and carrying with it, at a time controlled rate, the extension rod 55.

The rod 55 adjacent its shoulder 56 carries a resilient bar it against a switch block 12 in line with a pair of switch points 53 which actuates spring leaves l5 and 15. When the latch bar 60 has been moved to its unlatching position or the extension rod 55, for purposes hereinafter to be described, it carries the bar ii in its limiting position adjacent the lock 75 where it engages the trip finger ll bearing against the plate 18 carrying contacts 19 cooperative with the spaced contacts 3% and ill.

Conductors or wires 82, 83 and 8E combine with the switch contacts l3 and E5 to serve in closing the circuit for the visual signal or light 85. This occurs at anytime the bar ll moves from holding position.

Conductors B8 and Bl, controlled by the switch contacts 73 and i i activate the audible signal. in the form of an electromagnetically operated bell or gong BB, in one position (pulled out) of the manually controlled piston 56. The circuit is completed through the conductor 89, leading to the line or conductor 90 and connected with line 26. When the bar H moves to contact the switch finger 77, it closes the bell circuit again in moving the bar ll carrying spaced contacts into engagement with the contact 86, which is connected by the conductor or wire 9| to the 'conductor 4! and thence through the contact head 36 and its wiper to the line 25.

guide slot 56 inthe casing wall 51 and is manually operable by the knob 58 to retract the piston 46 in its cylinder 45. The extension rod' 55, on its inner end, is guided on the spaced arms 59 between which there rides the latching bar 60 pivoted by the pivot pin 6|.

The extension rod 55 is guided on the shoulder 62 and against the front edge 63 of the latching bar 60. A spring 64 has one end anchored to' the casing of the switching assembly-42 and its opposite end tothe-pivot point 65, thus normally urging the edge 63 against the extension rod. The extension rod has a shoulder 66 WhiQh ma The operation of the device is as follows:

Preliminarily the occupant of the premises pulls the knob 58 to set the device. This manual pulling of the extension rod 55 to its full limit draws the same to the point where the shoulder 66 is latched in the withdrawn position by the latch bar 60. This action opens the circuit for the bell or gong 8B. This action also brings the circuit for the visual signal, in the form of a lamp 85, to the open position.

Upon turning the knob i l or the key It? to project the bolt l5 into the hasp or strike, the circuit controlled by the normally engaging contacts 24 is closed, as thecontact of the leaf spring 23 is permitted to move to the closed position by reason of the extension 28 having been withdrawn. ,7

The frame switch assembly carried by the bracket 30 and controlled by. the nose 33, upon.

the closing of the door, has also been moyed to the open position. Should entry be attempted by J forcing of the closureor door it, the first move-.:

76 ment thereof for a small fraction of the distance the spring N.

ammo

oi the door will cause the nose 38 to follow in the frame 44. In doing so, the contact 3! will engage the contact 81, activating the electromagnet 10. This sets in motion the latch bar 80 as the armature is drawn towards the electromagnet. The action of the spring 49 against the piston 4| drives the extension rod from its cocked position. The preliminary action is to release the cross bar ii, permitting the switch contacts ll. ll, 13" and 15 to move to the closed position, thereby closing the circuit for the bell or gong, giving themudible signal and closing the circuit for the visual signal of the light 85.

The extension rod and its assembly carried on the rod 41 are urged to the closed position by Air escapes through the port II at a controlled of the needle valve 52. Should the intruder be frightened away at this stage, the audible signal will continue as long as the cross bar ii is moving between the switch block 12 and the switch block 18. If no further movement of the door has been enacted than the distance of the setting between the head 38 and the contact 31, up n the bar H urging the switch block I6, it

will engage the switch finger I! and break or,-

open th bell circuit. The light circuit, however, has been completed and maintains its visual signal. This visual signal is an indication that tampering has occurred, even though the attempted intruder is unsuccessful or has been frightened away.

Should. the door or closure be completely opened to permit the nose 33 to progress by spring action from the position where the contact head 36 clears the contact 31 and then contacts the second contact, 38, the circuit through the conductor 'II and the contact 80 will be closed to the bell or gong, again to activate this audible signal.

If during the initial action by the intruder, any

endeavor is made to spring or force the frame N to reach the nose 33 and render it inactive, slight movement of the nose 33 will serve to direct the auxiliary head 3 6a into engagement with the contact 38. to close the circuit for the hell or gong 88. Key operation of the lock to retract the bolt i5 and set the extension 28 against the spring leaf 23 will serve to open the circuit for the bell, while leaving the circuit for the light I! closed. This is an indication to the occupant of the condition of the settin of the burglar safety mechanism. If the light signal is on, evidence of tampering is shown, as previously mentioned. If it is in the "off" position, or not burning, no further attention need be given to the manual setting of the device controlled by the knob 58.

Entrance key operation in retracting the bolt i5 to cause the extension 28 to break the circuit controlled by the contacts 24 renders the bell circuit 88 inactive, while leaving the visual signal active if and as the manual control element in the form of the extension rod 55 has not been withdrawn. The light signal accordingly is a reminder to the occupant to set the main signalling mechanism to the active position before he leaves the premises.

It will thus be observed that I have provided an alarm mechanism controlled bv the lock mechanism, which has the desirable features of supplying an audible signal of predetermined duration, so that the annoyance of the persisting audible signal may be obviated in the event that this audible signal has served the purpose of rate, determined by the position frightening away an attempted intruder. The mechanism combines the feature of becoming active if after a predetermined period the intruder persists and has forced the closure sumciently to move it past the auxiliary switch point, whereupon the device includes mechanism for providing a continuously effective audible signal. 'While I hav shown an alarm lock mechanism hich, in its illustrated form, combines the various features outlined, it is understood that novelty is attributed to the separate elements and they may be used independently. Therefore, my invention is not to be limited except by the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claim a new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an alarm mechanism for closures or the like wherein a closure frame switch is movable. upon movement of the closure and frame relatively to each other, to make and break an electrically operable aud ble alarm and circuit means therefor, the combination therewith of an auxiliary switch having a pair of contacts and a power driven member having a connection for'moving one of said contacts to the closed position a switch for said alarm circuit, a latch for holding said member against retraction by the power means therefor, an electromagnet for releasing said latch having a circuit connected with the frame switch and means for regulating the rate of movement of said member whereby a controlled time for the "maintenance of the audible alarm may be effected.

2. In' an alarm mechanism for closures or the like wherein a closure frame switch is movable upon movement of the door and frame relatively to each other, and having an electrically operable audible alarm and circuit means therefor, the

combination therewith of an auxiliary switch,

having a pair of contacts, one of which is operable for movement by a springretractile-member serving to close the switch contacts for said alarm circuit, a latch for holding said member against retraction, manual means for setting the member and to space the contacts and to open the switch for said circuit, an electromagnet for releasing said latch having a circuit connected with the frame switch and means for regulating the rate of retraction of said member to time the duration of said audible alarm.

3. In an alarm in accordance with claim 2 wherein said spring retractile member acts upon a piston which moves within a cylinder including a needling metering member to control the air discharged from said cylinder by said piston to time the duration of said audible signal.

4. Alarm mechanism for closures or the like wherein a closure frame switch is movable upon movement of the closure and frame relatively to each other, the combination wherein an electri cally operable audible alarm and circuit are connected with said switch and include a current source therefor, an auxiliary switch having a pair of contacts and a power driven member having a connection for moving one of said contacts to the closed position, a switch for said alarm circuit, a visual signal and a circuit therefor controlled by the frame switch, a latch for holding said member against retraction after manual setting thereof, an electromagnet for releasing said latch having a circuit connected with the frame switch and means for regulating the rate of retraction of said member to control the duration 'of said audible alarm, said frame switch having a secondary circult connected with said audible alarm to close the circuit for said audible alarm upon expiration of the predetermined time whereby movement of r the closure to a secondary position will maintain the operation of the audible alarm.

5. An alarm mechanism for closures or the like wherein a closure frame switch has contacts, one of which is movable upon movement of the closure and frame relatively to each other, the combination comprising an electrically operable audible alarm, a circuit therefor including a current source connected to the contacts of said frame switch having contacts, an auxiliary switch for the circuit of said alarm, means for manually setting a piston member having a connection operating one of the contacts of said auxiliary switch, spring means for retracting said member for operating the contact of the switch for said alarm circuit, a cylinder within which said piston member moves and an air controlling pin to regulate the rate of retraction of said piston member and thereby control the duration-of said alarm.

6. Alarm mechanism in accordance with claim 5 wherein said frame switch includes a plurality of contacts-each independently controlling separate circuits, one circuit of which includes a visual signal, and switching means therefor to close the circuit upon movement of said'manually settable switch.

7. Alarm mechanism in accordance with claim 5 wherein said frame switch cooperates with a plurality of contacts, each controlling independent circuits, an electromagnet in one of said circuits, a light source in another circuit, an alarm by-passed circuit whereby movement of said frame switch inwardly or outwardly of the frame may close the circuit for said audible alarm.

8. Alarm mechanism for a closure having, in combination, a key operated switch, a circuit therefor connected to a source of current, a. frame switch for closing the circuit having a plurality of cooperating contacts one of which is mounted upon means controlled by different positions of the closure, an audible signal, difierent circuits for each of the contacting positions of the frame switch connected with said audible signal, means connected with said circuits for closing the circuits in more than one position, means for setting said last named means including latching means to hold said setting means in position, electrically responsive operable means for said latching means and a circuit for said operating means connected with the frame switch contacts, said switch setting means having a time controlled movement upon release of said latching means.

9. Alarm mechanism for a closure having, in

combination, an audible alarm, a circuit for said alarm, connected to a source of current therefor,

a closure frame switch having a plurality of contacts one oiwhich is mounted on means controlled by diiierent positions of the closure for setting.

thereforand means for restraining the setting means in accordance with some predetermined time controlled movement.

10. Alarm mechanism for alclosure having, in combination, a key operated switch, a circuit therefor connected to a source of current, a closure frame switch having a plurality of cooperating contacts, one of which is mounted upon means controlled by difierent positions of the closure, an audible signal alarm associated with said circuit, means for movably mounting contacts forming a switch for said circuit, a setting device for the contacts of said switch including resilient means for moving said setting device to one of two positions, means for latching said setting device, electromagnetically operable means for said latch controlled by said frame switch, and time controlled means for restraining the movement of said setting device.

11. Alarm mechanism for a key and loci: controlled closure having, in combination, a circuit connected to a source of current, means to mount contacts comprising a closure frame switch, an audible alarm signal, a visual alarm signal, independent circuits for each of said signals, switch contact setting means for said circuits restrained by spring means, latching means for said setting means including an electromagnetically operable device in the circuit of said contacts of said frame switch, and means to restrain the movement'of said setting means from the latched to the normal position, whereby the audible alarm signal may be maintained for a predetermined period of time.

12.,Alarm mechanism for a key and lock closure comprising, in combination, a frame switch having contacting means in different positions of the closure, a circuit for said switch, said contacting means being mounted to be effective to close the circuit in said different positions an audible alarm associated with said circuit, a source of current for said circuit, a secondary switch having contacts and means-to normally maintain the ment of said secondary switch setting means to the normal position.

' GEORGE L. FLEMING.

REFEEtENCE (BREED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 494,923 Hull Apr. 4, 1893 1,133,689 Williams Mar. 30, 1915 1,896,333 Thor Feb. '7, 1933 2,170,521 Rodth L Aug. 22, 1939 2,243,804 Howton May 27, 1941 Certificate of Correction Patent N 0. 2,436,470. February 24, 1948.

It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specification of the above numbered patent reqmrmg correction as follows: Column 1, line 13, for peristent read persistent; line 48, for residue read resede; column 2, line 53, for electrcally read electrically; column 7, line 13, claim 5, after switch, first occurrence, strike out the words having contacts and insert the same before for, same line; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oflice.

Signed and sealed this 4th day of May, A. D. 1948.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Gommz'ssz'oner of Patents.

Certificate of Correction Patent N 0. 2,436,470. February 24, 1948.

GEORGE L. FLEMING It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requlrmg correction as follows: Column 1, line 13, for peristent read persistent; line 48, for residue read reside; column 2, line 53, for electrcally read electrically; column 7, line 13, claim 5, after switch, first occurrence, strike out the words having contacts and insert the same before for, same line; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oflice.

Signed and sealed this 4th day of May, A. D. 1948.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Oommissioner of Patents. 

